Stabilize & Bind / Calm Spirit HBR7

Stabilize & Bind Astringent herbs - includes sour (mostly warm-moistening) and astringent (mostly cooling-drying) herbs - LU, LI, SP, KD most frequently require astringing.

Shan zhu yu - Dogwood fruit /Fructus Corni Sour, sl warm / Kd, Lr A&I: Stabilizes Kidney, retains essence: polyuria, incontinence, sperm leakage, excessive sweating. (You Gui Wan) Tonifies Lr & Kd, essence: dizziness, weak lumbar, impotence. Prolonged menstruation d/t def. (Liu Wei Di Huang Wan) C&C: Contraindicated: dysuria, damp-heat. Antagonizes Jie geng, Fang feng, Fang ji g

Wu wei zi - Schisandra fruit / Fructus Schisandrae warm, sour / Ht, Kd, Lu A&I: Astringes Lu qi: chronic cough. (Bu Fei Tang) Binds essence: nocturnal emission, vaginal discharge. (Tu Si Zi Wan) Diarrhea d/t Sp/Kd def. (Si Shen Wan) Excessive sweating. (Sheng Mai San)

Calms Ht: irritability, insomnia. (Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan) Recent: skin allergies, hepatitis C&C: Contraindicated: unresolved ext pattern, xs int heat, early-stage cough or rash g. Crush before using.

Wu mei - Black plum / Fructus Mume warm, sour / LI, Lr, Lu, Sp A&I: Astringes Lu qi: chronic cough. (Jiu Xian San) Chronic diarrhea. Alieviates thirst d/t def heat. Expels parasites. (Wu Mei Wan)

Uterine bleeding, bloody stool esp w/thirst. Topical: corns & warts. C&C: Contraindicated: int xs heat, ext patterns 3-9 g.

Chi shi zi - Kaolin / Halloysitum Rubrum warm, sour, sweet, astringent / Sp, St, LI Binds intestines, stops diarrhea. Stops bleeding: bloody stool, uterine d/t cold in lower jiao. Topical: chronic sores. C&C: Caution: pregnancy. Contraindicated: early- stage dysentery, hot diarrhea, damp-heat. Antagonizes Da huang, counteracts Yuan hua, Huang qin g

He zi - Chebula fruit / Fructus Chebulae neutral, sour, bitter, astringent / Lu, LI, St A&I: Chronic diarrhea or dysentery. Astringe Lu qi: cough, asthma, or chronic cough w/loss of voice. C&C: Contraindicated: ext patterns, damp-heat accumulation. Raw: cough, loss of voice. Roasted: diarrhea g

Rou dou kou - Nutmeg / Semen Myristicae warm, acrid / Sp, St, LI A&I: Warms middle jiao, moves qi: abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea. (Jian Pi Wan) Stops diarrhea d/t Sp/Kd def. (Si Shen Wan) C&C: Contraindicated: damp-heat diarrhea or dysentery g g pills or powder

Chun pi - Ailanthus bark / Cortex ailanthi cold, bitter, astringent / Lr, St, LI A&I: Clears heat, dries dampness: damp-heat diarrhea, leukorrhea Stops bleeding: bloody stool. (Gu Jing Wan) Kill parasites C&C: Contraindicated: def cold, def yin 3-9 g

Lian zi - Lotus seed / Semen Nelumbinis neutral, sweet, astringent / K, Sp, Ht A&I: Tonifies Sp, stops diarrhea. (Shen Ling Bai Zhu San) Tonifies Kd stabilizes essence: seminal emissions, leukorrhea. (Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan) Nourishes blood, calms mind: palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, irritability. C&C: Contraindicated: ab distension, constipation 6-15 g

Qian shi - Euryale seed / Semen Euryales neutral, sweet, astringent / K, Sp A&I: Tonifies Sp, stops diarrhea. Tonifies Kd stabilizes essence: seminal emissions, freq urination. (Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan) Expels dampness: leukorrhea d/t def or damp-heat g

Jin ying zi - Cherokee rose hips / Fr Rosae laevigatae neutral, sour, astringent / K, UB, LI A&I: Retains essence: spermatorrhea, freq urination, leukorrhea, prolapse of anus or uterus, uterine bleeding. Chronic diarrhea or dysentery. C&C: Contraindicated: fire or excessive pathogenic factors. OD, long-term may cause ab pain, constipation g

Fu xiao mai - Light wheat / Fructus Tritici levis cool, sweet, salty / Ht A&I: Stops sweating: spontaneous or night sweating. (Mu Li San) Nourishes Ht, calms mind: restless organ disorder. (Gan Mai Da Zao Tang) Pediatric enuresis 9-15 g

Ma huang gen - Ephedra root / Radix Ephedrae neutral, sweet / Lu A&I: Stops sweating d/t def: spontaneous or night sweating. (Mu Li San) C&C: Contraindicated: ext patterns 3-10 g

Hai piao xiao - Cuttlefish bone / Os Sepiae seu Sepiellae sl warm, salty, astringent / Lr, K, St A&I: Stops uterine bleeding and leukorrhea. (Gu Chong Tang) Retains essence: nocturnal emission, premature ejaculation. Controls acidity, stops St pain. Promotes healing of ulcers. C&C: Contraindicated: def yin, xs heat g

Sang piao xiao - Mantis egg case Ootheca Mantidis neutral, sweet, salty / Lr, K A&I: Tonifies Kd yang, restrains essence & urination: seminal emission, nocturnal enuresis (esp in children), leukorrhea. (Sang Piao Xiao San) C&C: Contraindicated: yin def fire, UB heat w/frequent urine g

This category is further subdivided into herbs that 1) settle and calm the Spirit primarily cool/cold, salty or sweet minerals and sea shells; potent sedative effect. includes toxic heavy metals. 2) nourish HT and calm the Spirit. primarily neutral and sweet; tonify HT Yin, HT Blood, and LR Yin. Calm the Spirit

Settle & Calm Spirit

Long gu - Dragon's bone / Os draconis neutral, sweet, astringent / Ht, Kd, Lr A&I: Pacifies Lr, anchors yang: dizziness, vertigo, blurred vision. (Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang) Calms Ht: palpitations, insomnia. (Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang) Astringes leukorrhea, seminal emissions, sweating. (Sang Piao Xiao San)

Topical: chronic sores. Should be cooked before adding other herbs g

Mu li - Oyster shell / Concha Ostreae cool, salty / Kd, Lr A&I: Pacifies Lr, anchors yang: dizziness, vertigo, blurred vision. (Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang) Calms Ht: palpitations, insomnia. (Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang) Astringes leukorrhea, seminal emissions, sweating. (Mu Li San)

Softens, dissipates nodules. (Xiao Luo Wan) Xs stomach acid. C&C: Contraindicated: hi fever w/o sweating. OD: indigestion, constipation g

Ci shi - Loadstone / Magnetite cold, salty, acrid / Kd, Lr A&I: Anchors & calms: restlessness, insomnia, palpitations, tremors, children's seizures d/t fright. (Ci Zhu Wan) Improves hearing & vision. (Er Long Zuo Ci Wan) Kd not grasping qi. Caution: weak Sp/St. Antagonizes Mu dan pi. Decoct min before adding other herbs g

Zhu sha - Cinnabar / Cinnabaris cool, sweet, toxic / Kd, Lr A&I: Sedates Ht: restlessness, palpitations, anxiety, seizures. (Zhu Sha An Shen Wan, Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan) Topical: toxic swellings, snakebite. C&C: Do not use, TOXIC, contains mercury g pill or powder

Zhen zhu - Pearl / Margarita cold, salty / Ht, Lr A&I: Sedates Ht: tremors, seizures, palpitations, frightens easily. (An Gong Niu Huang Wan) Clears Lr, brightens eyes: dim vision, red eyes, photophobia. Topical: chronic sores g pills, powders, eyedrops

Zhen zhu mu - Mother-of-pearl cold, sweet, salty / Ht, Lr A&I: Pacifies Lr, anchors yang. Clears Lr, brightens eyes. Substitute for Zhen Zhu 15-30g decoct first.

Hu po - Amber / Succinum neutral, sweet / Ht, Lr, UB A&I: Tranquilizes mind: infantile seizures, palpitations, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep. (Ding Xian Wan) Bl stasis menstrual problems. Promotes urination: freq, painful, bloody urine or stones. C&C: Contraindicated in yin deficiency with heat g powder

Dai zhe shi - Hematite / Hematitum cold, bitter / Lr, Ht, Pc A&I: Pacifies Lr, anchors yang: dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus. (Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang) Strongly downbears qi: vomiting, belching, wheezing. (Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang) Vomiting blood, nosebleeds. C&C: Caution: pregnancy. Some samples contain arsenic salts g

Nourish Heart & Calm Spirit

Suan zao ren - Wild jujube seed / Semen Zizyphi spinosae neutral, sweet / Ht, Lr A&I: Nourishes blood, calms shen: irritability, insomnia, palpitations, forgetfulness. (Suan Zao Ren Tang, Gui Pi Tang) Stops sweating: spontaneous or night sweating C&C: Caution: Severe diarrhea; XS heat 10-18g

Bai zi ren - Biota seed / Semen Biotae neutral, sweet / Ht, K, LI A&I: Nourishes blood, calms shen: insomnia, palpitations, anxiety. (Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan) Night sweats: d/t Yin deficiency Moistens intestines C&C: Contraindicated: loose stool, phlegm 10-18g

Yuan zhi - Polygala root / Radix Polygalae sl warm, acrid, bitter / Ht, Lu A&I: Calms shen: restlessness, insomnia, palpitations. (Gui Pi Tang) Transforms phlegm, clears orifices: cough w/thick sputum, turbid phlegm misting Heart (Ding Zhi Wan, Ding Xian Wan) C&C: Caution: Gastritis, gastric ulcer. 3-10g

He huan pi - Albizzia bark, Mimosa tree bark / Cx Albizziae neutral, sweet / Ht, Lr A&I: Calms shen: insomnia, memory lapse, irritability d/t depression. Moves blood, reduces swelling: trauma, injury Boils He huan hua - Albizzia flower: neutral, sweet, moves Liver qi & blood, calms shen, esp useful for emotional constraint, epigastric pain g

Ye jiao teng - Fleeceflower vine / Caulis Polygoni multiflori neutral, sweet, sl bitter / Ht, Lr A&I: Nourishes Heart blood, calms shen: esp dream- disturbed sleep. (Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin) Unblocks channels: weakness, soreness, numbness d/t Blood def. Topical: itchy skin 9-30g

Herbs for extinguishing Internal Wind - treat tremors, paralysis, convulsions, muscle twitches, and dizziness - tend to be neutral to cold, salty and sweet; enter LR Extinguish Wind & Stop Tremors

Ling yang jiao - Antelope horn / Cornus Saigae Tataricae cold, salty / Lr, Ht A&I: Calms Lr, extinguishes wind: high fever, spasms, convulsions esps in children. (Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang) Anchors yang. Clears Lr fire, brightens eyes. Clears Pc heat: mania, coma.

Wind-damp-heat bi g decoction; g powder Shan yang jiao - Goat horn: salty, cold, sim to Ling yang jiao but weaker, use 9-15g in decoction.

Gou teng - Uncaria stem / Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis cool, sweet / Lr, Pc, Ht A&I: Extinguishes wind, alleviates spasms: tremors, spasms, seizures. (Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang) Clears heat, calms Lr: Lr fire or yang rising, incl HTN. (Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin) Ext wind-heat g; Cook less than 10 min. Hooks are most effective part.

Tian ma - Gastrodia tuber / Rhizoma Gastrodiae neutral, sweet / Lr A&I: Extinguishes wind, controls spasms: tremors, seizures, etc, d/t heat or bl def. (Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin) Stops pain: headaches, etc, d/t wind-phlegm, or wind- damp bi in low back & extremities. (Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang) 3-10 g decoction; g powder

Bai ji li - Tribulus fruit / Fructus Tribuli neutral, bitter, acrid / Lr A&I: Calms Lr, anchors yang. Lr qi stagnation: chest/flank pain, insufficient lactation. Stops itching. (Dang Gui Yin Zi) Brightens eyes C&C: Caution: pregnancy, qi & bl def g

Shi jue ming - Abalone shell / Concha Haliotidis cold, salty / Lr, K A&I: Anchors yang: HA, dizziness. (Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin) Clears Lr fire, brightens eyes. C&C: Counteracts Xuan fu hua g Cook 1 hr before adding other herbs.

Di long - Earthworm / Lumbricus cold, salty / Lr, Lu, Sp, UB A&I: Clears heat, stops spasms. Calms wheezing d/t Lu heat. Promotes urination: dysuria, edema, HTN Clears channels & luo vessels: hot bi, hemiplegia. (Xiao Huo Luo Dan, Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang) 5-15 g; g if fresh

Quan xie - Scorpion / Buthus martensi neutral, acrid, salty, toxic / Lr A&I: Extinguishes wind, stops spasms: acute or chronic convulsions, tics, tetany. (Qian Zheng San) Fire toxin: swellings, sores. Stops pain: migraines, bi. C&C: Toxic, avoid OD. Contraindicated: pregnancy, bl def g decoction; g powder

Wu gong - Centipede / Scolopendra warm, acrid, toxic / Lr A&I: Extinguishes wind, stops spasms: acute or chronic convulsions, lockjaw, seizures. Fire toxin: boils, snakebites. Stops pain: migraines, bi. C&C: Toxic, avoid OD. Contraindicated: pregnancy. 1-3 g decoction; g powder

Jiang can - Sick silkworm / Bombyx Batryticatus neutral, acrid, salty / Lr, Lu A&I: Extinguishes wind, stops spasms: child convulsions, facial paralysis d/t Lr wind or Wind- phlegm-heat. (Ding Xian Wan) Phlegm-heat nodules. Expels wind, stops pain: HA, red eyes, sore throat, aphonia d/t Lr or ext wind.

Stops itching. Raw: wind-heat. Fried: all else. C&C: Antagonizes Jie geng, Fu ling, Bei xie, Sang piao xiao. 3-9 g decoction; g pills or powders

- primarily used for stroke/CNS collapse with coma or imminent coma. - must differentiate between Cold-type or Heat-type. - not for Yang Collapse; aromatic and scattering, can easily drain the body's Qi. Herbs for opening the Orifices

She xiang - Deer musk / Moschus warm, acrid, aromatic / Ht, Sp, Lr A&I: Intensely opens orifices, revives consciousness: heat entering Pc, tetany, phlegm collapse, seizures. (An Gong Niu Huang Wan, Su He Xiang Wan) Moves blood, reduces swelling, relieves pain: toxic sores, masses, trauma, coronary artery disease. (Qi Li San) Hastens delivery, esp in stillborns. C&C: Contraindicated: pregnancy, yin def heat. Endangered g pills, powders

Su he xiang - Styrax Liquidis warm, sweet, acrid, aromatic / Ht, Sp A&I: Opens orifices, penetrates turbidity: esp cold disorders, also phlegm, closed, epidemic toxic. (Su He Xiang Wan) Cold, fullness, pain in chest. C&C: Contraindicated: hi fever & coma, spontaneous sweat & collapse. Caution: pregnancy g pill, powder

Bing pian - Borneol Cool, acrid, bitter / Ht, Lu, Sp A&I: Opens orifices, revives spirit: fainting, convulsions. (An Gong Niu Huang Wan) Topical: throat pain/swelling, skin diseases, eye diseases, regenerates flesh. C&C: Contraindicated: qi & bl def. Caution: pregnancy g pill, powder

Shi chang pu - Acorus / Rz Acori Graminei sl warm, acrid, aromatic / Ht, St A&I: Opens orifices, vaporizes phlegm, quiets spirit: deafness, dizziness, dull senses, seizures. (Ding Zhi Wan, Di Tan Tang) Harmonizes middle jiao, transforms turbidity: chest fullness, ab pain d/t Sp/St damp. (Lian Po Yin)

Wind-damp bi, trauma, sores: internal or topical. C&C: Caution: yin def heat, excessive sweating, vomiting blood, spermatorrhea. Antagonizes Ma huang. 3-9 g decoction, pills, powders

Niu huang - Bovine Bezoar, Cattle Gallstone / Calculus Bovis cool, bitter, sweet / Ht, Lr A&I: Clears Ht, opens orifices, awakens spirit, vaporizes phlegm: delirium d/t febrile diseases, hot phlegm obstructing Pc, wind-stroke, seizures. (An Gong Niu Huang Wan) Clears Lr heat, extinguishes wind: spasms, tremors w/fever.

Toxic heat swellings. C&C: Contraindicated: pregnancy, Sp/St def, absence of xs heat. Antagonizes Long gu, Sheng di huang, Long dan cao, Chang shan, Niu xi g pills, powders